CMU Summit Hopes to Bridge Pittsburgh and China

Business CEOs and academicians from the U.S. and China will meet this weekend in Pittsburgh to discuss how to best strengthen business ties.

Pengxuan Chen, chair of the second Carnegie Mellon University Summit on US-China Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said the forum is bringing in more than 40 speakers to discuss topics where both countries share interests.

She said the hope is to better promote the Pittsburgh region to Chinese investors and business people.

“In China, not so many know Pittsburgh," Chen said. "They know New York City; they know some cities like big cities, but personally I think Pittsburgh is a great city now focusing on healthcare, education technology, etc.”

Chen said the summit will feature panel discussions on information technology, finance, innovation, healthcare and energy.

She said organizers have also sponsored a venture capital competition where 50 teams of students from across the U.S. created an investment opportunity. The 10 finalists will give a presentation to financiers and compete for a cash prize.

Chen said the competition draws attention to CMU graduates looking for startup money.

Keynote addresses begin tomorrow. Tickets are available at the summit’s website for $30 for CMU students and $100 for professionals.